81 FR 14841 - Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 53 (March 18, 2016)

This notice announces an opportunity to request funding from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a Department of Defense (DoD) field activity, for community planning assistance to help communities respond to announced reductions in force structure and personnel. Planning funds are available to assist communities to respond to these cuts on behalf of local workforce, business, and other community impacts. Generally, this assistance is available to help communities to organize and undertake general economic analyses to better understand how the reductions may affect local housing, schools, and businesses, etc. This notice includes proposal submission requirements and instructions, eligibility requirements, and the selection criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals from eligible respondents. OEA grants to a state or local government may result from any proposal submitted under this notice, subject to the availability of appropriations.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14841-14844]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06142]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding 
Opportunity (FFO)

AGENCY: Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Federal funding opportunity announcement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces an opportunity to request funding from 
the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a Department of Defense (DoD) 
field activity, for community planning assistance to help communities 
respond to announced reductions in force structure and personnel. 
Planning funds are available to assist communities to respond to these 
cuts on behalf of local workforce, business, and other community 
impacts. Generally, this assistance is available to help communities to 
organize and undertake general economic analyses to better understand 
how the reductions may affect local housing, schools, and businesses, 
etc. This notice includes proposal submission requirements and 
instructions, eligibility requirements, and the selection criteria that 
will be used to evaluate proposals from eligible respondents. OEA 
grants to a state or local government may result from any proposal 
submitted under this notice, subject to the availability of 
appropriations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    a. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), 
Department of Defense (DoD).
    b. Funding Opportunity Title: Community Adjustment Planning 
Assistance in Response to Reductions in Force Structure and Personnel.
    c. Announcement Type: Initial Federal Funding Opportunity.
    d. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number & Title: 
12.604, Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Reductions in 
Defense Spending.
    e. Key Dates: Proposals will be considered on a continuing basis. 
OEA will evaluate all proposal documents and requests, and provide a 
response to the respondent within 30 business days of OEA's receipt of 
a final and complete proposal.

I. Period of Funding Opportunity

    Proposals will be considered on a continuing basis, subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, commencing on the date of 
publication of this notice.

II. Funding Opportunity

a. Program Description

    OEA is a DoD Field Activity authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2391 to 
provide assistance to state or local governments, and instrumentalities 
of state and local governments, including regional governmental 
organizations. This assistance helps communities to plan and carry out 
community adjustments required by the impact of a reduction in Defense 
spending for Army force structure and personnel. Funded activities may 
include: Operate and maintain a community-based organization to 
represent an impacted area and its workers, businesses, and 
communities; prepare cost effective strategies and action plans for 
sustainable economic recovery; carry out a community adjustment and 
economic diversification program; and, plan and carry out local 
economic adjustment programs. Planning and other components include but 
are not limited to: Feasibility studies; organizational staffing, 
operating, and administrative expenses; redevelopment and economic 
development capacity building; public outreach; and other activities 
necessary for a community to capably respond to the adverse impacts of 
Defense spending reductions on local schools, housing markets, central 
business districts, etc. Assistance may not be used to reverse or to 
oppose announced Defense spending reductions.

[[Page 14842]]

    Proposals will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria in 
Section II.c. and the selection criteria in Section II.e. of this 
notice by OEA staff. OEA will notify the respondent within thirty (30) 
days of receipt of a proposal whether their proposal was successful. 
The successful respondent will then be invited to submit an application 
through OEA's EADS 2 system. Additional details about the review and 
selection process are provided in Section II.e. of this FFO.
    The final amount of each award will be determined by OEA based upon 
a review of a final grant application, and will be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.

b. Federal Award Information

    Awards under this FFO will be issued in the form of a grant 
agreement. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 6304 a grant is defined as the 
legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the United States 
Government and a State, local government, or other recipient when: (1) 
The principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of 
value to the State or local government or other recipient to carry out 
a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the 
United States instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) 
property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States 
Government; and, (2) Substantial involvement is not expected between 
the executive agency and the State, local government, or other 
recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.

c. Eligibility Information

    Awards resulting from this FFO are based on eligibility and the 
responsiveness of proposals.
i. Eligible Respondents
    Eligible respondents are states, counties, municipalities, other 
political subdivisions of a state; special purpose units of a state or 
local government; other instrumentalities of a state or local 
government; and tribal nations. Personnel reductions must result in the 
loss of not less than: 2,000 military, civilian, and contractor 
personnel in an urban labor market area, or 1,000 military, civilian, 
or contractor personnel in the case of a non-urban labor market area. 
The Director, OEA, must also determine whether the losses constitute a 
direct and significant adverse consequence on a community and its 
residents. Where multiple jurisdictions may be affected by reduced 
spending and personnel reductions, one program of assistance will be 
available and the affected jurisdictions will need to combine their 
efforts into one responsive program.
    Applicants for this assistance are to contact OEA and a project 
manager will be assigned to work with the applicant to determine 
eligibility for assistance under this program.
    Respondents are urged to review the Program Information stated for 
CFDA Number 12.604, Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for 
Reductions in Defense Spending at http://www.cfda.gov, prior to 
preparing and/or submitting a proposal.
ii. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Cost sharing is required. Generally, not less than 10% of a 
proposed project shall be derived from non-federal sources.
iii. Other Eligibility Information
    Funding will be awarded to only one governmental entity on behalf 
of a region; therefore, applications on behalf of a multi-
jurisdictional region should demonstrate a significant level of 
cooperation.
    Respondents are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate 
appropriate leverage of all public and private resources and programs.

d. Proposal and Submission Information

i. Submission of a Proposal
    Proposals should be submitted electronically at 
[email protected] with a courtesy copy to 
([email protected]). Include ``Community Adjustment 
Planning Assistance in Response to Reductions in Defense Spending for 
Force Structure and Personnel'' on the subject line of the message and 
request delivery/read confirmation to ensure receipt.
    Proposals may also be mailed or hand-delivered to: Director, Office 
of Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 
22202-3711.
ii. Content and Form of Proposal Submission
    A proposal from a state on behalf of itself must demonstrate how 
the proposed grant would support local community adjustment planning 
and initiatives that assess the impact of a Defense spending reduction 
for force structure and personnel. The submission should state 
specifically the announced, or actual, force structure and personnel 
reduction numbers at their location. The submission should describe how 
the grantee will, operate and maintain a community-based organization 
to represent the impacted area and its workers, businesses, and help 
communities prepare cost effective strategies and action plans for 
sustainable economic recovery; and/or carry out a community adjustment 
and economic diversification program; plan and carry out local economic 
adjustment programs. Programs may include but are not limited to: 
Feasibility studies; organizational staffing, operating and 
administrative expenses; redevelopment and economic development 
capacity building; public outreach; and other activities necessary for 
a community to capably respond to the adverse impacts of Defense 
spending reductions on local schools, housing markets, and central 
business districts, etc. Assistance may not be used to seek to reverse 
or to oppose announced Defense spending reductions.
    (a) Project Parties: A description of the partner jurisdictions, 
agencies, organizations, and their roles and responsibilities to carry 
out the proposed project. Letters of support may be included as 
attachment and will not count against the ten-page limit;
    (b) Grant Funds and Other Sources of Funds: A summary of local 
needs, including the need for Federal funding, and an overview of all 
State and local funding sources, including the funds requested under 
this notice;
    (c) Project Schedule: A sufficiently detailed project schedule, 
including milestones;
    (d) Performance Milestones: A description of milestones to be 
tracked and evaluated over the course of the project to gauge 
performance of the project;
    (e) Grants Management: Evidence of the respondent's ability and 
authority to manage Federal grant funds;
    (f) Submitting Official: Documentation that the Submitting Official 
is authorized by the respondent to submit a proposal and subsequently 
apply for assistance.
    The proposal should be emailed to the account identified in Section 
II.d, and in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format. OEA reserves 
the right to ask any respondent to supplement the information in its 
proposal, but expects the proposal to be complete upon submission. To 
the extent practicable, OEA encourages respondents to provide data and 
evidence of all project merits in a form that is publicly available and 
verifiable.
iii. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
    Each respondent is required to: (a) Provide a valid Dun and 
Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; (b) be registered 
in the System

[[Page 14843]]

for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application; and (c) 
continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or 
an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding 
agency. OEA may not make a Federal award to a respondent until the 
respondent has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier 
and SAM requirements.
iv. Submission Dates and Times
    Proposals will be considered on a continuing basis, subject to 
available appropriations, commencing on the date of publication of this 
notice. The end date for this program has not yet been determined. OEA 
will evaluate all proposals and provide a response to each respondent 
via email within 30 business days of OEA's receipt of a final, complete 
grant proposal.
v. Funding Restrictions
    The following are unallowable activities under this grant program:
     Construction;
     Proposed activities for grants under this program should 
not duplicate nor replicate activities otherwise eligible for or funded 
through other Federal programs; and,
     International travel.
    OEA reserves the right to decline to fund pre-Federal award costs. 
Final awards may include pre-Federal award costs at the discretion of 
OEA; however, this must be specifically requested in the grantee's 
final application.
vi. Other Submission Requirements
    All respondents will submit all proposal materials electronically 
as an emailed attachment in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

e. Application Review Information

i. Selection Criteria
    (a) An appropriate and clear project design to address the need, 
problem, or issue identified;
    (b) Evidence of an effective approach;
    (c) The innovative quality of the proposed approach; and
    (d) A reasonable proposed budget with a non-Federal match 
commitment and schedule for completion of the work program specified.
ii. Review and Selection Process
    All proposals will be reviewed on their individual merit by a panel 
of OEA staff. OEA will notify the respondent within thirty (30) days of 
receipt of a proposal whether their proposal was successful. The 
successful respondent will then be instructed to submit an application 
through OEA's grants management system, EADS 2. OEA will assign a 
Project Manager to advise and assist successful respondents in the 
preparation of the application. Grant applications will be reviewed for 
their completeness and accuracy and a grant award notification will be 
issued, to the extent possible, within seven (7) business days from its 
receipt.
    Unsuccessful respondents will be notified that their proposal was 
not selected for further action and funding, and may request a 
debriefing on their submitted proposal. When applicable, OEA may 
include information about other applicable federal grant programs in 
this communication. Requests for debriefing must be submitted in 
writing within 3 calendar days of notification of an unsuccessful 
proposal.
    OEA is committed to conducting a transparent financial assistance 
award process and to publicizing information about funding decisions. 
Respondents are advised that their respective applications and 
information related to their review and evaluation may be shared 
publicly. Any proprietary information must be identified as such in the 
proposal and application. In the event of a grant award, information 
about project progress and related results may also be made publicly 
available.

f. Federal Award Administration Information

i. Federal Award Notices
    In the event a grant is ultimately awarded, the successful 
respondent (Grantee) will receive a notice of award in the form of a 
Grant Agreement, signed by the Director, OEA (Grantor), on behalf of 
DoD. The Grant Agreement will be transmitted electronically or, if 
necessary, by U.S. mail.
ii. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Any grant awarded under this program will be governed by the 
provisions of the OMB circulars applicable to financial assistance and 
DoD's implementing regulations in place at the time of the award. A 
Grantee receiving funds under this opportunity and any consultant or 
pass-thru entity operating under the terms of a grant shall comply with 
all Federal, State, and local laws applicable to its activities. 
Federal regulations that will apply to an OEA grant include 
administrative requirements and provisions governing allowable costs as 
stated in:

     2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'';
     2 CFR part 1103, ``Interim Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements Implementation of Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards'';
     2 CFR part 25, ``Universal Identifier and System for 
Award Management'';
     2 CFR part 170, ``Reporting Subaward and Executive 
Compensation Information'';
     2 CFR part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), as 
implemented by DoD in 2 CFR part 1125, Department of Defense 
Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension; and
     32 CFR part 28, ``New Restrictions on Lobbying''.
iii. Reporting
    OEA requires periodic performance reports, an interim financial 
report for each 12 months a grant is active, and one final performance 
report for any grant. The performance reports will contain information 
on the following:
    (a) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for the period;
    (b) reasons for slippage if established objectives were not met;
    (c) additional pertinent information when appropriate;
    (d) a comparison of actual and projected quarterly expenditures in 
the grant; and,
    (e) the amount of Federal cash on hand at the beginning and end of 
the reporting period.
    The final performance report must contain a summary of activities 
for the entire grant period. All required deliverables should be 
submitted with the final performance report.
    The final SF 425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' must be submitted 
to OEA within 90 days after the end of the grant.
    Any grant funds actually advanced and not needed for grant purposes 
shall be returned immediately to OEA. Upon award, OEA will include a 
schedule for reporting periods and report due dates in the Grant 
Agreement.

III. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information, to answer questions, or for help with 
problems, contact: Mr. James Holland (Program Director), Office of 
Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 
22202-3711, Office: (703) 697 2188, Email: 
[email protected].
    The OEA homepage address is: http://www.oea.gov.

[[Page 14844]]

IV. Other Information

a. Grant Award Determination

    Selection of an organization under this FFO does not constitute 
approval of a grant for the proposed project as submitted. Before any 
funds are awarded, OEA may enter into negotiations about such items as 
program components, staffing and funding levels, and administrative 
systems in place to support implementation of the award. The amount of 
available funding may require the final award amount to be less than 
that originally requested by the respondent. If the negotiations do not 
result in a mutually acceptable submission, OEA reserves the right to 
terminate the negotiations and decline to fund an application. OEA 
further reserves the right not to fund any proposal received under this 
FFO.
    In the event OEA approves an amount that is less than the amount 
requested, the respondent will be required to modify its grant 
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the 
grant agreement. OEA reserves the right to reduce or withdraw the award 
if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the respondent within 
15 working days from the date the request for modification is made. Any 
modifications must be within the scope of the original application and 
approved by both the Grantee and OEA. OEA reserves the right to cancel 
any award for non-performance.

b. No Obligation for Future Funding

    Amendment or renewal of an award to increase funding or to extend 
the period of performance is at the discretion of OEA.

c. Intellectual Property Rights

    In the event of a grant award, the Grantee may copyright any work 
that is subject to copyright and was developed, or for which ownership 
was purchased, under an award. The Federal awarding agencies reserve a 
royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, 
or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and to authorize others 
to do so. Such uses include, but are not limited to, the right to 
modify and distribute such products worldwide by any means, 
electronically or otherwise. The Grantee may not use Federal funds to 
pay any royalty or license fee for use of a copyrighted work, or the 
cost of acquiring by purchase a copyright in a work, where the 
Department has a license or rights of free use in such work. If 
revenues are generated through selling products developed with grant 
funds, including intellectual property, these revenues are program 
income and shall be added to the grant and must be expended for 
allowable grant activities.

    Dated: March 15, 2016.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2016-06142 Filed 3-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P